5 breakout defensive stars for LA Rams Coach Staley in 2020

DL Robinson

Defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson has been a notoriously strong defensive lineman whose efforts to dominate on the line of scrimmage have been stymied by his role as the primary blocker-gobbler on the defense. The good news is that being the primary focus of opposing offensive linemen will likely end the moment he steps onto the field lined up to All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald.  The bad news is that it will determine just how good he truly is when facing just one blocker.

More from Ramblin' Fan

• NFL Trade Rumors: Would Rams trade for Jonathon Taylor?
• Look for 49ers players to follow DeMeco Ryans to Texans
• Ryans to the Texans, will Rams Raheem Morris be next?
• Broncos mimic LA Rams, go All-In pairing Payton with Russell
• Need a new Los Angeles Rams hat for less than $10?

Robinson is most closely similar to former LA Rams defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh. Suh was a powerful big man who intimidated offenses. And both Suh and Robinson have attracted more than their fair share of blockers. Robinson gives all the appearance of a circus strong-man, and he plays like it.  While he will fill the Rams minor need as a true defensive nose tackle, he does have the potential to play any of the Rams’ defensive line positions.

So far, his role has been virtually one dimensional on defense. Stand-your-ground, don’t advance and don’t retreat, and don’t let anyone with the football get past. He has been very effective in that very specific role, but do not look for the Rams to repeat that simplistic ask. After all, the Rams deception keys on players doing the unexpected. While Robinson will likely not slide into pass coverage, the 6-foot-4 330-pound mini-Hercules can devastate offenses in multiple ways. He can become a huge pivot player for the Rams to stunt on the defensive line, simply by turning him towards Aaron Donald’s blockers and letting Donald loop behind him for an unhampered shot at the offensive backfield.

And at 6-foot-4, do not be surprised to see an occasional play where Robinson stands up and slides back into coverage. His height and arm-length create natural obstructions to a quarterback’s visibility and passing lanes.  Robinson excelled in a limited role with the Detroit Lions in 2018, earning an impressive 89.7 rating from Pro Football Focus. When that did not result in more snaps in 2019, he struggled with his continued limited role.  He arrives at a much larger role and into the spotlight aimed the Rams defensive front, and the energy and change of zip code should result in a very motivated strong-man.  To succeed here, he doesn’t need to sack the quarterback. He just needs to take some of the pressure off Donald. He’ll do a little of both, making him an ideal complement to Donald, and the ideal nose tackle for the Rams.